From January 2015 to December 2017, approximately 1.6 million migrants crossed the Mediterranean to reach Europe. The death toll was dramatic, with almost 15,000 drowning. In response to the void... Show moreFrom January 2015 to December 2017, approximately 1.6 million migrants crossed the Mediterranean to reach Europe. The death toll was dramatic, with almost 15,000 drowning. In response to the void left by the ending of the Italian-led Mare Nostrum mission, several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) launched their own search and rescue (SAR) operations, rescuing over 110,000 migrants. In this article, we argue that states have the responsibility not only to coordinate, but also to directly provide adequate SAR operations in the Mediterranean, and that these responsibilities are presently being abdicated. Although much criticism of NGO maritime rescuing operations is misplaced, non-governmental SAR has notable limitations, and states are ultimately responsible for this shortfall. Show less
In July 2017, Italy drafted an EU-sponsored code of conduct aimed at regulating non-governmental migrant rescuing NGOs offshore Libya. The code makes permission for NGO vessels to disembark... Show moreIn July 2017, Italy drafted an EU-sponsored code of conduct aimed at regulating non-governmental migrant rescuing NGOs offshore Libya. The code makes permission for NGO vessels to disembark migrants in Italian ports conditional on collaborating in the fight against smugglers and accepting the presence of law enforcement personnel on board. This article investigates the inception, content and likely consequences of the Code, arguing that most of its provisions are either redundant or counterproductive. As suggested by scholarship on civil–military cooperation and maritime rescuing, the code as it stands would only violate humanitarian principles without increasing existing rescuing capabilities. Show less
In 2015 and 2016, 1,200,000 migrants crossed the Mediterranean into Europe. At least 6000 went missing at sea. In response to states’ failure to provide adequate search and rescue (SAR), several... Show moreIn 2015 and 2016, 1,200,000 migrants crossed the Mediterranean into Europe. At least 6000 went missing at sea. In response to states’ failure to provide adequate search and rescue (SAR), several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have launched their own rescue operations in both the Central Mediterranean and Aegean. This article provides the first empirical analysis of SAR NGOs, outlining their structure and operating models, investigating the reasons underlying their proliferation and assessing their contribution to mitigating the loss of life at sea Show less
